Mousetrap: Because the system is complicated that even those in the know have a hard time dealing with it. I saw on a prog one lady with a disabled son lose out due to not ticking a box that was in the small print. Luckily she was able to get what she was owed backdated. Yet a fraudster working full time for years and only getting caught through that he was selling dodgy DVD's at a market stall.. the one he had been working full time at for years!!

As to rent.. I know someone who got a letter saying they owed money after they moved, even though they had been paying via direct debit and had a letter saying all was in order. N' someone who was supposed to advice people on what to do when a landlord is slow on repairs.... not know that the tenant is within their rights to use the rent money to pay for essential repairs and just present the landlord with the receipt.

.. The lesson seems to be.. know your rights.